The Best of Ireland - and 8 day tour to see the cultural and historical highlights

The Best of Ireland

My parents took me to Ireland once or twice a year when I was growing up in England since they were keen fishermen, and golfers. It is a place of great food, wonderful little country pubs, picturesque quaint villages, steeped in history, music and folklore. It is a popular place for an American to travel to because of the good value, especially today since the pound has dropped considerably against the dollar due to them leaving the European Union.

You can either drive yourself around, if you don’t mind the narrow roads. My husband didn’t like driving on the left, and the roundabouts. We can customize a route for you, and I think the minimum time should be eight days. There are several motor coach tours which do an excellent job, which is a wonderful option.

Peak season is July and August with longer days, and the best weather. 75 degrees is a heat wave, and you should always have a brolly (umbrella) with you just in case you get some “mist”. The local weather forecaster on the tele always makes me laugh. When they say “look for a bright period” that means the sun is expected to shine. I like the spring or the autumn with less crowds and a lower price in accommodation. If you go in the winter, you will find that some attractions are closed. Dublin is as far north as Edmonton, Canada, so we get l8 hours of daylight in the summer, and short days in the winter months. Most pubs will have great food, and of course, good ale. What is great, is that they will have a band, with everyone singing traditional Irish songs and some Irish dancing which is fun to watch, like a jig.

Arrive in Dublin, and in the afternoon take in the attractions of one of Europe’s most popular cities. Don’t miss Trinity College, the Book of Kells, the National Museum, the National Gallery and trendy Temple Bar. Stay overnight in the city.

Day 2. Spend the morning strolling around the town, including St Patrick’s Cathedral, Christchurch, Dublin Castle, the Irish Whiskey Centre and the Guinness Storehouse. Leave Dublin and travel via Clonmacnoise to arrive in Galway where you can visit the Galway Crystal Factory , The Spanish Arch and Galway’s Cathedral. Stay overnight.

Day 3. Connemara will take a full day of touring this magical area with the highlights including Clifden, the Sky Road, Roundstone, Killary Harbor, the Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey and the Maam Valley. Gaelic ( the Irish dialect) is still spoken in many parts of this area. Overnight here

Day 4. You need an early morning start to go to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Pass through the haunting area of the Burren, visiting Bunratty Castle and Folk Park where one can stop for a pint of stout at Durty Nellies. Continue on to Adare Valley before arriving in Killarney where you should stay overnight.

Day 5. A full day to tour the famous Ring of Kerry. The drive to Moll’s Gap is breathtaking with the picturesque lakes and mountains at Lady’s View and Torc Waterfall. If time allows, take a jaunting car in the Gap of Dunloe or stoll around Muchross House and Gardens. Stay overnight in Killarney.

Day 6. Drive to Cork, Ireland’s second city. One must visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone, followed by a browse in the Woollen Mills. Either head for Kinsale or explore the Jameson Heritage Centre and finally before the end of the evening see the Shandon Bells and the Cork City Jail. Stay overnight.

Day 7. Head for Cashel where you will catch sight of its Rock before reaching medieval Kilkenny. Take time to visit Kilkenny Castle and the Kilkenny Design Center before making your final journey back into Dublin. Overnight in Dublin.

Day 8. Depart – Slan abhaile…. Good bye

Shopping is a must. I always buy shoes, sweaters, and Irish crystal is excellent, especially Waterford. A doctor told my father that a pint of Guinness stout a day was better than any medicine.

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel